I recently had back surgery, because of a herniated disc in my back which pinched a nerve in my foot leaving it numb. I feel a lot better since the surgery. I’m getting more and more feeling back in my foot, which takes time for the nerve to recover. The only pain is a raw sensation where the small incision was made. Oh, and the irritation in my big toe as I get the feeling back. I stubbed my toe multiple times during the injury, when I’d missed lifting up my foot while walking or moving around. It’s kind of funny after back surgery, that my big toe is causing most of the problems.

The recovery will be lifelong, I have to keep from reinjuring my back. It starts with a lot of rest and walking. The next step will be stretching and core work. I look forward to the challenge of rebuilding my strength. Another change is I’m sitting up straight at a table typing this, instead of slouching with the computer in my lap in my Lazyboy. So no time for me to be a lazy boy, I’ll keep writing and develop a good workout routine.

Last month, I joined fifth and sixth graders and discussed, PATHFINDER, by Orson Scott Card. We had a fun discussion about this book, which I’d recommend to readers.

For the next book, I read doomsdaybox a shadowprojectadventure, by Herbie Brennan. Once again, I got involved late, and I set aside other reading to finished this book. I have no problem reading books with such interest to meet a deadline for a book club. It’s an engaging story. I’m extremely interested in the young reader’s point of view. The story has time travel, outer body experiences and takes the reader back to the era of cold war. My academic major in college was history. I look forward to what young readers have to say about the Soviet Union, and how they view a time which I studied and I saw the end of the Soviet Union when I was in high school..

Well, I did it! I went to my second poetry reading at Parkplace Books. I actually read. I got up in front of a crowd of twelve or so and read two of my poems. Nervously, I read a bit too fast, but I hung in there. I didn’t vomit or run away screaming. I think I did rather well for my first time. Other Poets presented their poems as well. None stood out like the “Slam” poet who acted, recited, and rapped his poetry. What a gift. He captivated the audience with his presence. Something, I’d like to learn. Overall, it’s a joy to hear the variety of styles of poetry. I look forward to the next event.

Funny thing…I hurt my back. I missed almost a week of teaching. I’m finally on the mend, after seeing a chiropractor, my regular doctor, physical therapist, and getting lots of rest. I can feel my toes actually come back to life. An inflamed disc in my back caused the numbness.

Today the toilet overflowed, and I missed the first half of the Super Bowl. An enormous mess, but I don’t need to fill you in with the gross details. Yet, I’m not angry or sad. I’m rather content. It just makes me laugh. It’s what life is all about, the ups and downs. The cool thing is I have some new writing ideas and crazy stories to tell. Plus I was one of the runners up in a contest:

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/songs/matter-song.pdf

So write on!